While many experiences the year ending as a time filled with exciting thoughts of the upcoming holidays' others have an entirely different experience. For some, it’s filled with the dread of being exposed to the hole left by the absence of work while others are confronted with memories of lost loved one and better years. There are many things which can taint our experience of the holidays. Fortunately, all of them can be worked through or managed, and therapy helps.
If you have the sense that this might apply to you, then now is the time to plan and set up the support you’ll need. First prize is to have a schedule that ensures you spend time with people who love you and who can be there for you. If this is not available, you need more, or can’t bear the thought of leaning on others; there is still time to arrange professional help.
Establishing contact with a therapist is enormously helpful, even if you can’t begin sessions immediately. Merely knowing that you have started looking into a healing process or book a meeting for next year can produce enough hope and relief to carry you through. But where does one find this help?
If you have access to private medical care, then you can consider approaching your GP and asking them to refer you to a counsellor or psychologist in your area. Those who don’t have such access can visit their local community clinic and ask the attending sister to please place you on the psychology waiting list or to refer you to a nearby clinic that can provide the necessary help.
The very idea of approaching a doctor or sister is often so daunting that some people never take this first step. If this applies to you, you’ll be happy to know that several websites help you find the services you need. TherapyRoute.com is a good place to start. This platform includes informative articles, lists private practices as well as non-profit and community service facilities, automatically displays the services nearest to you and helps you . . .

Killarney - Continuing the form that has seen the 29-year-old ace take two consecutive World RX Drivers’ Championship titles, and win every race this year except for one (round three in Belgium); Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson romped to victory at every wheel turn at the 2018 World RX of South Africa. In all, Johan was one win short of a perfect score weekend - netting three qualifying race victories - ranking him as top qualifier overall - followed by a semi final and final victory at the Killarney Raceway in Cape Town.
“What can I say? Winning is what we are here for,” said Johan about the victory. “This win really means a lot – and I know I’ve said that every time I’ve won a race, but it’s really true! When you come to the last race of the season, it’s really important to go to the winter with a win. We all know you’re only as good as your last result, so to start round one in 2019 off the back of this is nice.”
Talking more about his incredible year, Kristoffersson revealed one disappointment.
“Winning 11 from 12 is really nice – makes me a little bit frustrated about [World RX of] Belgium where [Sébastien] Loeb won – but that 100 per cent record gives us something to work towards next year!” joked the champion. “To make nine wins in nine races is also something special for me. I remember watching Sebastian Vettel winning the last nine races of the 2013 [Formula 1] season and just thinking how incredible that feeling must be, to have so much success in one season. And now I have done just that. Unbelievable. I will never forget this season, it’s such a special one.”
Unfortunately for teammate Petter Solberg, his run of 2018 bad luck continued in South Africa, despite blistering performances throughout the weekend. Qualifying fourth overall, Petter went on to win semifinal two and lock out the front row of the event’s main final alongside Johan. However a spin, and contact with rival Timmy Hansen, on lap two of the final ended the triple world . . .

SITA invests in 7th school computer Lab at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha
- Khayelitsha, Cape Town - on the 28th of September 2018, the SITA South Africa team joined the learners and teachers at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town to celebrate the opening of their new SITA ICT Lab.
The Academia Primary ICT Lab is the seventh school Lab funded by SITA, the worlds leading air transport IT and communications specialist, and the first time they have invested in an ICT Lab in a primary school and in the Western Cape of South Africa.
Khayelitsha is one of the poorest areas of Cape Town with 70% of the residents living in shacks and 40% being under the age of 19. Academia Primary educates 557 primary school children and attains a strong pass rate making it an appealing school within this impoverished community. For this reason SITA chose to build the 7th SITA ICT Lab here with the help of Melisizwe consulting- Computer Lab Project Managers.
The state of the art ICT Lab with 40 new PC’s, a smart board and academic software was revealed to staff, learners and Cape district of education delegates alongside sponsors SAA and SITA. Suren Naidoo, Senior Manager Customer Services at SITA, addressed the gathering highlighting the importance of investing in the education of the youth to provide access to critical IT skills much needed to develop the economy of South Africa. Suren noted he hoped to see some of the learners attending the ceremony working in the aerospace sector one day.
Bruce Croza, head of IT at SAA, a longtime partner and customer of SITA encouraged the learners to bring their passion and innovation to their use of the new ICT Lab as this Lab is only the start of the technological journey for these young children.
Tech education will be vital to enabling the kids of Khayelitsha, and their community, to rise above their circumstances and embrace the fourth industrial revolution with confidence.
Around the world, nearly . . .

Cape Town, South Africa (September 2018) - Nic Haralambous - entrepreneur, author, speaker and stylish sock icon - has done it again. The businessman behind startups such as Motribe, ForeFront Africa and the popular fashion brand Nic Harry, has released his debut book, Do.Fail.Learn.Repeat. and it is exactly what you need to read if you are looking for an honest, open look at the life of an entrepreneur.
From the age of 16, Nic has been exercising his entrepreneurial skills. Starting with building web-based products and moving on to creating full-sized companies in the tech world. He has built businesses from the ground up and seen many of them succeed, but he’s also seen a number of them fail.
After graduating from Rhodes University, Nic tried to make his way up the corporate ladder but soon found that working on his own passions and interests was what he really wanted to be doing. So, that’s what he pursued. Founding multiple startups until he found his current brainchild, Nic Harry.
The funky sock brand has taken South African men’s fashion by storm, and recently added a range of underwear and T-shirts as well. All products are made with soft bamboo fibres, allowing for comfort, style and variety for guys who want variety in their wardrobes.
Now, Nic has written and released a business biography, in which he outlines his business successes and failures, as well as the lessons he learnt along the way. In the book, he gives an accurate and truthful account of how he got to where he is today. He opens up about failing and shares how he got back up after each failed attempt.
The book came out in July 2018 and has hit all major bookstore shelves. It is also available on his website. Online buyers will receive a signed copy and can add a pair of Nic Harry socks, that match the book’s cover, to their carts as well. Nic is also available to be booked for talks, where he shares his experience and knowledge with like-minded . . .

Gymkhana GRiD World Finals to be held in South Africa on 1st December 2018
Celebrating Gymkhana GRiD’s seventh year of competition
Totally unique competition format as GRiD returns to Carnival City, Johannesburg, for the second time, after the inaugural event in 2017
50 international drivers go head to head in two classes, set to burn rubber on a custom designed track layout
One of Motorsport’s most unique competitions – attracting a full grid of elite international drivers is set to hold its world final in South Africa this year. That’s right; Gymkhana GRiD is back, and returning to Carnival City Johannesburg, at the end of the 2018 competition season.
This not only means a one-of a kind racing spectacle will be going live on December 1st, but also, for all except two drivers, there’s a chance for redemption and a second shot at the coveted GRiD podium.
For the series seventh year of tyre slaying, GRiD returns to the vast Carnival City Resort complex, with a faster, and more technical track layout – offering a fresh set of challenges to test man and machine to the absolute edge of their performance.
Last year the Savannah of shred and a Braai of burnouts witnessed reigning FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson (All-Wheel Drive) and four-time Gymkhana GRiD rear-wheel drive class champion Luke Woodham steal the show in the final battles, leaving the rest of the field in their dust. Now the scene is set for a sequel of epic proportions.
Luke Woodham explains: “It gets harder and harder every year. There are some big names coming over to South Africa, and I want to put up a good fight for the title again. Certainly I never expected to win it two times in a row, let alone three or four times in succession. But by all means I’m coming back in better shape than before – faster, and stronger. There’s a lot of pressure for sure – most of which I put on myself, but mainly I’m just excited now to get there and drive at GRiD again. It’s the . . .

Recovery Direct is one of the most exclusive psychological and addiction treatment centres in South Africa. Nestling in a quiet Constantia road, flanked by rolling vineyards, ancient oaks and the breath-taking grandeur of the Constantiaberg mountains, the centre offers a perfect and tranquil environment for recovery.
Stunning multi-functional suites, each decked out in Victorian colonial style with en-suite bathrooms, balconies and panoramic views, offer outstanding accommodation for guests who want an upmarket and comfortable rehab experience.
Recovery Direct was founded by Vaughan Pankhurst, who recognised the need for a novel approach to addiction treatment after he had successfully completed his own nine-year own journey into long-term recovery. Vaughan realised early on that trauma lies at the heart of addiction, and his centre is unique in that it consciously addresses the underlying traumatic issues on which addiction feeds. As such, it challenges the stigmas surrounding addiction and substance use by focusing its treatment approach around the belief that the effects of trauma lead people to become addicts.
This approach contrasts with other rehabilitation centres in that Recovery Direct does not follow a 12-step programme in its treatment methodology. This non-punitive approach is intentional – it enables the centre and its healthcare workers to focus on resolving clients ‘problems by addressing the trauma and pain that drove them to addiction. It also carefully dismantles the destructive forces driving their addictions. Patients are required to see their counsellors every day, as opposed to once or twice a week. This regularity fast-tracks the healing process and enables recovery goals to be achieved sooner.
The centre is eco-friendly and environmentally conscious – electricity is produced by energy-efficient solar panels, and water is provided by a natural spring.
The exclusive rehab treats a wide spectrum of conditions, from alcoholism, . . .

Help your customers understand why workplace noise affects productivity and profitability. And how they can fix it.
Today, work happens everywhere — in busy open-plan offices and contact centers, at home, even coffee shops. This flexibility is great for business and people, but with it comes a new challenge: noise. Distraction caused by noise reduces productivity and well-being and, in contact centers, detracts from a positive customer experience.
Studies show that it takes 23 minutes to recover from distraction, and over 58% of employees are distracted multiple times each day. That represents a significant impact on your customers’ businesses you can easily help avert through proven noise reduction strategies and products.
Plantronics engineers solutions that help people manage the noise around them so they can be more effective — no matter where they work. Together, we can help your customers reduce distractions caused by noise so their businesses can thrive.
Plantronics in South Africa offers several solutions for managing noise. This week we focus on the Voyager 6200 UC, a Bluetooth® neckband headset with earbuds that offers professional-grade audio and versatility. On any given day, you might need to collaborate with colleagues remotely, field calls from customers or listen to music to help you focus on your latest project. Now there’s a headset that’s flexible enough to meet the demands of your role inside the office and out.
Voyager 6200 UC offers everything you’d expect from Plantronics — active-noise canceling, clear voice transmission and premium audio — in a versatile Bluetooth® neckband headset with earbuds. Intuitive controls make it easy to use, and the neckband vibrates to signal an incoming call. Voyager 6200 UC is so comfortable and low-profile that you can use it all day long, in the office and on the go.
IT Managers
The professionals in your organization have different roles, responsibilities and work styles, so why offer them . . .

Johannesburg, June, 6, 2018
Scott Ambler and Mark Lines talk business agility in South Africa in July
IndigoCube will once more host the internationally renowned and locally popular Scott Ambler and Mark Lines, creators of the Disciplined Agile Framework, but this time with a principally business focus for the first Business Agility Conference hosted in South Africa.
The duo will host a conference and present workshops for a week in July aimed chiefly at business people rather than IT people.
“The conference is about business agility,” says Jaco Viljoen, the principal consultant and head of digital at IndigoCube. “It’s agile for the whole business, not just IT, so it’s for business people curious about modern practices for the digital enterprise and how that affects all divisions from HR to finance, marketing and the rest.”
Scott Ambler, the Senior Consulting Partner of Scott Ambler + Associates, is also the founder of the Agile Modeling (AM), Agile Data (AD), and Enterprise Unified Process (EUP) methodologies and the founding Member of the Disciplined Agile Consortium (DAC).
Mark Lines is Managing Partner of Scott Ambler + Associates, coach and co-author, with Scott Ambler, of “Disciplined Agile Delivery: A Practitioner’s Guide to Agile Software Delivery in the Enterprise”, which details their approach to DAD.
“Scott and Mark compare this to a racing car,” he says. “IT is the engine but businesspeople put the agile, high performance engines into tractors and make them plough fields. Similarly, IT operations must become suitable high performance engines for the racing car chassis and drivetrain. Both must work together to be competitive in this extremely demanding world.”
The two internationally renowned Canadians will be the main attraction at the conference on July 17, from 09:00 to 13:00 held in-conjunction with IBM at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel.
IndigoCube will provide training on Disciplined Agile (DAD) in conjunction with Scott . . .

Cape Town, South Africa: Caveau, the comprehensive software platform and service designed to simplify financial transactions and protect personal and financial data, has announced it’s partnering with Grindrod Travel to reduce its risks of GDPR and PCI-DSS. As one of the most established and respected travel management companies providing corporate and leisure related travel and conferencing services in South Africa, it was imperative to find a solution for safely handling credit cards and personal information of its a broad range of clients. With multiple deadlines for meeting compliance security standards for account and personal data protection looming, Caveau was able to quickly assess the travel management company’s challenges and deliver customized solutions for addressing their unique requirements.
The addition of Grindrod Travel to Caveau’s client roster emphasizes the pressing need for flexible and affordable support dealing with compliance regulation worldwide. Says Gregg Scott-Brown Caveau Managing Director, South Africa based in Cape Town, “We’re excited to be working with Grindrod Travel and other hotels, agencies and a broad range of travel-related businesses in South Africa to decrease dangers and liabilities associated with GDPR and PCI-DSS.”
According to Grindrod Travel Divisional Executive, Su Moller, being a single division of a large logistics company with its own IT department presented a variety of complexities in finding a solution. “The technology providers I approached to help us insisted on performing a vulnerability scan of the Travel Division, which was difficult to accomplish without including the entire organization. Time was ticking and we had to move fast. When we were referred to Caveau, their team got right to work on developing a secure vault to store our client’s credit card and personal details,” says Moller.
Says Brian Dass, Caveau CSO, “Grindrod Travel’s large client database and the sheer volume of daily . . .

Featured Press Releases

Great businesses are not merely built on service but exceptional service and great customer experience; and an important element of their success is the value-proposition they deliver to their customers. Great businesses understand that for them to thrive and survive, they need to be constantly focusing on delivering value to their customers.
“Exceptional businesses differentiate their offering on service and not necessarily price alone because research has proven again and again that consumers are willing to pay a premium, provided they “get great service” and great value for what they are paying for”, says Femi Adebanji, Customer Service . . .

[Cape Town, 19 January 2019] – Since its official launch in Q4 of 2018, NJIN Agency has prioritised the signing of specific (much-loved) South African brands and companies where the agency felt it could make a real and positive impact.
By signing with the WSB Cape Cobras Cricket Team as its full-service digital marketing and technologies partner, NJIN Agency is taking strides to further position itself as the go-to agency for South African sport, music and entertainment companies.
>> view NJIN Agency website
“To be fair, we’ve previously enjoyed an association with the WSB Cape Cobras under the umbrella of our former parent . . .

REMOVE ME: Mahala
Johannesburg 19 January 2019 - You definitely don't want to miss out on the best way to kick off 2019!
If you’re a cool cat, you will know about Woodstock! In the summer of 1969 Woodstock made history through its three day music festival, which was held on a dairy farm in the Catskill Mountains, northwest of New York City. The festival attracted more than 400, 000 people, who gathered in the name of peace and music.
It was unexpected and at the same time, gave rise to the notion that human beings are inherently good and peace loving; and music is the food that feeds such souls - plus, we all need a day or three out . . .

Johannesburg , 19 January 2019- December 2018 has come and gone and we find ourselves in January 2019. This however does not mean the end of the holiday period in South Africa. As such, many South Africans, as well as tourists from across the world, will be making their way to different parts of our country. Hotels are usually at full capacity during peak season and service is the order of the day, just as it is in any other part of the world where tourists flock to for their annual holiday break.
During this time, hotel rooms are in high demand, all the time, for earlier check-ins. As a partner to the hospitality industry, Servest . . .

JOHANNESBURG, January 15, 2019 - Forestry South Africa (FSA) has launched the Forestry Explained recreational map, ideal for when the travel bug bites, when you need family-friendly accommodation or a quiet weekend away from the city life. The new interactive map details the myriad of activities and attractions that are found on forestry-owned land around the country.
Treasures within the trees
Around 30% of forestry-owned land is unplanted and a large proportion is set aside for dedicated conservation. These include vast swaths of grasslands, riverine ecosystems and indigenous forests. Besides their obvious conservation value, these . . .